Orthopedic Surgeon Visit 8 Weeks Post Surgery

Travis saw Dr. Jones (orthopedic surgeon that repaired T's femur both times requiring surgery) on May 8th for a routine post-op follow-up exam. Fortunately, we learned good news regarding Travis creating new bone at T's Shriners in April and that helped nerves going into the appointment with Dr. Jones.

The huge grin on Dr. Jones' face when he walked into the room after seeing Travis' x-ray images told spoke volumes. :) I love, love seeing the look of happy surprises on the faces of T's medical teams. I dare to say that T's appointment made his day/week. Guessing he enjoys the medical "wins" like we do.

May 8, 2015 front view

May 8, 2015 side view

Dr. Jones smiled when he heard T's progress in physical therapy and getting around the house. I asked him if he thought he would see this much bone growth only 8 weeks after surgery. In his reply he stated that during surgery all the doctors commented that they hoped what they were doing would work. So many times the medical team for T think outside the box and use unconventional solutions to create the best possible outcome. This was one of those times.

Travis and Dr. Jones carried on great conversations during the appointment. Travis asked him why he cut him open on the side of his leg and not the top. Dr. Jones explained that the best way to fix the fracture was from the side so he could move the muscles "up" and "down" easier to repair the fracture (think up as front side of incision and down as back of leg from incision). Travis then asked Dr. Jones what color is his muscle. Dr. Jones then "laughed" and then proceeded to explain to Travis the color of regular muscle, pointing out one of the pink-ish dots on the bottom of the painting on the wall in the picture.

Dr. Jones and Travis in deep conversation

(Since Dr. Jones is one of only a handful of people to see a part Travis' tumor in person, hands on if you will, the "laugh" is that T's thigh muscle is completely infiltrated by tumor and it is hard to identify muscle in Travis' leg. We are learning that T's medical team is impressed/amazed that Travis can walk independently, when not healing from fractures, given the huge tumor involvement. The will and determination of T is immeasurable.)

Travis then followed up with a question about the color of his tumor, to which Dr. Jones replied a grayish color. I love how T feels comfortable to ask his doctors about his medical care and how the doctors interact with him and teach him. He has the greatest team we could ever assemble.

Dr. Jones left with a smile and T's to return in 6 months, or earlier if needed. We'll take it!

Travis also had repeat blood work on the 7th to check on his anemia. Good news is that his red blood cell counts continue to return to normal. Travis' pediatrician and Dr. Jones would like Travis to continue on iron pills for at least another month. Repeat labs will be done before T's 8 year old well-child appointment in July.

Tuesday brings Travis' 21st MRI, a number I never imagined he would need all those years ago. This provides a clue as to what his body will do being of Peg-interferon for 3 months. The doctor at the NIH who performs the volumetric analysis on the scans will be out into the month of June, so no formal results for a while. Thank you for your support on this journey as we all work to #EndNF.